I have 4 and 5 yr old boys, and have been giving them baths together since they were 1 and 2. They splash each other and spray themselves with bath foam, play with ships, etc. They have a blast. The main reason they still share baths is because it saves time and water. I also have a n 8 month old baby, so I am usually pretty busy. I have been thinking of giving them separate baths, but tried it once, and the 4 yr old wasn't having as much fun. I am not sure if this is okay, if it will mess them up later in life? Can anyone enlighten me on this subject? Parents especially.
2007-02-01 06:17:40 · 17 answers · asked by Klum 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I understand completely why you do it. As a mother of seven I know thst saving time in anyway that you can is a god send. I would say the five year old would need to start showering himself in the next year or so but at the same time if they are happy with the situation and you see that they have fun bathing together the situation is fine for the time being.
I wouldn't let your five year old get to any older than 7 while sharing baths,if even for the fact that he needs to learn to wash himself.
I have three young boys 5,3&17months. Last summer I stopped the older two sharing baths so the five yr old showers himself with my supervision,the adjustment was a little hectic at first but I find now that the five yr old loves the independence and while he doesn't LOVE showering at all I think he feels liike a big boy being that bit separate from the other two.
Don't worry too much about it they will most likely let you know when they want their privacy and soon enough the 4yr old will have his younger sibling to share baths with.
Good Luck
2007-02-01 07:16:55 · answer #1 · answered by strictmom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it is fine to keep bathing then together Because they are both boys and it sound like they are having fun.At some point they just naturally out grow the bath and want to shower.As a mum of 2 boys I do the same thing I know it is a real time saver.
2007-02-01 06:41:44 · answer #2 · answered by BeBu 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the boys can start taking showers by themselves is when you should stop bathing them together. And that would probably be around the age of 7 or 8. They are still young enough that it's ok. As long as they say nothing and have fun, let them continue...it won't harm anything.
2007-02-01 06:21:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When they (1) complain about it themselves or (2) get too big to fit in the bathtub at the same time. No, it will not "mess them up." Even opposite-sex siblings don't get "messed up" by simply sharing a bath.
2007-02-01 13:44:04 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Denny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should let the boys share a bath until they are no longer comfortable doing so. In many cultures it is normal for children of the same/different gender to share baths until they are ready for puberty.
2007-02-01 06:22:55 · answer #5 · answered by galatan2 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is unusual for them to be bathing together at this point-another year or two maybe. This has nothing to do with messing anything up later in life, except maybe for the fact that this is a good bonding time for them. If this isn't bothering them, and they aren't old enough for it to be creepy, go ahead and let them bathe together.
2007-02-01 06:21:43 · answer #6 · answered by MNBound 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the boys will naturally figure out that it's time to take separate baths when the time comes. As long as nothing perverse is going on they should be fine
2007-02-01 06:53:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I stopped my son from sharing around 3, but only because he had sisters. My girls are 4 and 8 and they still jump in the shower together from time to time. My oldest likes to wash her sisters hair, so they play salon. I think it's ok as long as their brothers....hey, look at older guys, in a locker room they all shower together! It's not as big a deal between boys as it is girls.
2007-02-01 06:46:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say that they should have stopped sharing bathes some-
time ago. This is something that they need to learn to be independent about but with some safety factors involved which you do seem to have under control.
They sound like healthy young boys but if you can get them to shower if would relieve e great deal of stress for you esp.with the Baby to care for too.
2007-02-01 06:45:54 · answer #9 · answered by It's been awhile 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
the minute you ake something out of it you will cause problems. this is good training for when they go to play sports in HS or join the army. they should not be self-conscious around other boys or they will seem gay.
Let them decide when it is time for private baths. they will tell you.
2007-02-01 06:21:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋